Capital Punishment Clinic

Student Experience

“As a Clinic student, I became part of a team representing clients on Texas's death row, and I had the chance to help save our clients from execution. Clinical students are exposed to a wide array of work. Students go to death row, go on an investigation trip to interview witnesses, research and write about complex legal issues, and help craft strategies to get relief for your clients. A student in the Capital Punishment Clinic will have a very educational and rewarding experience. The Capital Punishment Clinic was the best thing I did in law school. ”
—Alec Swafford, ’12

“The Capital Punishment Clinic was the best experience of my entire law degree. I spent one semester in the Clinic whilst on exchange from the University of Sydney.
Academically, I was able to learn and understand procedural and substantive capital punishment law due to the first-class faculty members in the Clinic. Practical experiences included interviewing jurors, reviewing expert witness evaluations, attending appeal hearings, writing affidavits and meetings with clients. Professionally, I learned a lot about working in a team environment and respecting the dignity of every client. I feel very privileged to have had this experience, and strongly endorse the Capital Punishment Clinic.”
—Lucy Blair, visiting student, ’10

“To see the law culminate at this level, to see the process go all the way to the Supreme Court, this is what as a law student I've been studying for. It reminds me that what I'm doing is really important and this is why I wanted to be a lawyer.”
—Christina Thoda, ’07